How to grow dahlias

Planting tools and materials

Shovel, small pruning knife, support, watering can with shower head, slow-release nutrient fertilizer, etc.

In April, once the ground begins to warm up again, take out the dahlia rhizomes stored in the storage room (if you purchased them that year, try to choose those with healthy and plump roots).

Remove drought roots

If there are too many tuberous roots, you can divide them (use a small pruning knife to cut them apart), making sure to keep on each rhizome - adventitious buds and some lateral roots.

Digging

Dig a hole about 20cm deep, loosen the soil, and remove large rocks and weed roots. If the soil contains a lot of sand, add soil fertilizer or compost.

Add basal fertilizer

To provide dahlias with the nutrients they will need in the future, especially nitrogen fertilizer, mix in slow-release fertilizer while hoeing the soil, and be sure to apply the fertilizer according to the amount indicated on the product instructions.

Establishing pillars

In order not to damage the root tubers, before the dahlias take root, they are erected - a support is placed in a soil pit about 15 cm deep. Lay the bulb flat on the bottom of the hole with the bud close to the support.

Watering after planting

Fill the hole with crushed soil. In order to make the bulb and the soil fully contact, gently flatten the hole with your feet, and then water the hole thoroughly like a light rain.

prune

In July, the dahlias planted at the beginning of spring grow very fast like bamboo shoots after rain. It is time to set up supports if they were not set up when planting. To produce large, beautiful flowers, pruning is recommended.

Set up a support post at the foot of each dahlia before the roots collapse under the weight of leaves and flowers. Be careful not to damage the bulbs.

Fixed bracket

The support should be about 5 cm away from the rhizome, and the rhizome and the support should be loosely tied together with plastic or raffia rope. Be careful not to pull the rhizome and the support too tight.

Short

To grow large flowers, use a sharp pruning knife to remove the leaf axils below the leaves, leaving only the flower buds on the rhizome. Also remove small side branches.

Pruning dead flowers

Dwarf dahlias do not need to be supported by pillars; their dense branches and leaves can support the flowers. However, in order to prevent bolting and reduce the burden on the bulbs, be sure to remove withered flowers in a timely manner. Timely removal of withered flowers can also effectively promote the production of new flower buds.

Pruning

In October, when the dahlia season is over, cut off all root branches about 10 cm from the ground with pruning shears or sharp scissors. Don't touch its leaves, except for the withered leaves of course.

Pull out the dahlias

Wait until the plant has completely withered before removing the dahlia. If it is pulled out too early, its storage may be seriously damaged and affect its future reproduction.

Storing Root Bulbs

When the plant has completely withered, use a long-handled spade to carefully pull it out, taking care not to damage its roots.

After drying in the open air for several hours, remove the soil and dead leaves on the bulbs, cut off the excess roots and branches (keep about 5cm), write down the product name and color, and tie a label

Store them in a wooden box in a dry and ventilated place. If you are concerned about erosion, store them in a mesh bag and hang them up. Pay attention to observe their health status regularly.

In areas where frost and freeze are rare, dahlia bulbs can be left in the ground. Cut off all dead branches and leaves from 5 cm above the ground. Cover with 20-30cm thick dry leaves or straw.